For a dark egg layer, which would you recommend and why: Welsummer vs. Barnvelder vs. Marans

[Lady of McCamley]

@Michael OShay thanks for the link for the trap nest...don't know if I am quite ready to set that up yet but I'll keep the link on hand if I get there.

I too just try to watch and see what is happening...but with 18 birds (and growing), it can be hard to keep up with who is laying.

I do however have confirmed laying of the following:

Here is my Welsummer dark eggs on the top photo cartons (found more older photos...I like to sell my eggs in a sepia rainbow)...and the new Marans pullets on the middle and third photo cartons...colors look pretty true in the photos.

Marans again




You can see how one pullet is laying a really lovely dark and the other a very pretty mottled


I am really, really happy with the color I am getting from the Marans...they are a shade darker and unique to the Welsummer.

Now on to getting some Olive Eggers.

to finish out a very pretty palate of colors.

Lady of McCamley

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for the beautiful photos. I love seeing the various shades of eggs. My granddaughter insists on having EEs in our flock and while they are not our best layers, they are decent layers and are beautiful and friendly birds.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

And finally, a side by side comparison of my Welsummer's egg (the very large dark one in the middle, her first after being broody for weeks) and the Marans...smaller pullet eggs circling the outside.

One Marans lays a darker egg than the other, and the Marans' eggs seem to be a little more susceptible to scratching the bloom which holds the color...could just be a pullet thing or simply these birds, although I think that is typical of the darker eggs as they lay a dark bloom at the end that can be rubbed.

I'm really liking the personality of my Marans...they are quiet, dignified birds, and fairly friendly...although won't naturally come up to your hand.

My Welsummer is friendly but prown to squawking, which I have heard can be a trait of the breed.

Enjoy
Lady of McCamley

Top white Leghorn mix (white egg), Delaware or Wyandotte light tints, Red Star middle brown, then a very large dark Welsummer, surrounded by Marans new pullet eggs